Hi

Hi Animal  and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups. I don’t have Hodgkin's Lymphoma but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of Low Grade NHL eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.

Please do put up your questions as I am sure that the group members will be able to help you and your husband out and help you both navigate this journey.

Let's look for some of the group members to pick up on your post. You can also look through the various posts (hit the main group name and scroll down) and as always you can hit reply and ask some questions and see if the member is looking in.

Always around to help more or just to chat

Thanks. Waiting at the hospital today for him to have his first session of chemo. Not allowed in there with him which really hurts

It’s amazing the difference between hospitals as I talk with lots of folks on here and another Lymphoma support platform where a family members is now getting in with the patients.

What treatment is he having….. as in the exact name of the chemo?……. with this information the group members could be able to relate back to their experiences.

I had a rather different treatment journey as I had a rare Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma so I was in hospital 6days/5 night on my 2 IV pumps 24/7for my 6 cycles and actually did ok with regards to Side Effects of Treatments that can come along. 

Nausea may be a challenge, but remember he must not to suffer in silence as there are lots of tools available - but his team needs to know how he is getting on as at times it is trial and error to get the right one…… over my 759hrs of chemo I was only sick once.

Cancer-related fatigue may well build up over time so he needs to take each day as it comes but at the same time keep some activity going as this does actually help overcome some of the fatigue..... the less he does the longer the recovery.

There is a real Risk of infection so care needs to be taken to control infection contacts.

I would also highlight the importance of drinking lots of water as this will flush out all the toxins released by the chemo and protects the kidneys.

This link will help as it’s a collection of peoples thoughts about what helped them going through treatment Top Tips for the day of your Chemotherapy

Always around to help out or just to chat ((hugs))

Hello Pete here- I have had 3 differing types of chemo/immunotherapy; some "infusions" take 3-4 hours to complete- others around an hour. And the best thing to take in to help pass the time/? Private Eye. Makes you think and makes you laugh. And the whole procedure can be very boring and what keeps you going is the thought that there is a strong chance that the treatment keeps you going. And don't forget the hugs.

Hoping the treatment is effective (I always ask around September "Do I need to buy Christmas Cards?" So far the answer is "YES".)

Have a long distance hug - and family members go through it as well- often forgotten - the feeling of helplessness. I do worry for mine.

Pete X